Harbaugh: Tolzien vs. Johnson was a ‘dead heat’

And Tolzien understands why. He believes his friend and former competitor will still have a productive NFL career after he was released by the 49ers on Friday.

Tolzien was told by his agent, Joe Panos, that he’d made the 53-man roster Friday afternoon. Later, he exchanged text messages with Johnson, who had a 115.3 rating during the preseason.

“I wish Josh the best,” Tolzien said. “He’s a good quarterback and that was so evident Thursday night during the game. Josh has got some good years ahead of him and that’s not me trying to sugarcoat it. I really think a lot of him as a quarterback and as a person. Hopefully he gets a great opportunity. I feel confident that he’ll make the most of it.”

Said Harbaugh: “I can’t tell you how close it was. It was a dead heat. Both those players – you can make a great, great argument for both of them to help our team win on any given Sunday. It was close at the beginning. It remained close all the way through and it was a tough decision. Both played extremely well.”

** The players voted on team captains and defensive tackle Justin Smith and quarterback Alex Smith joined existing captains, linebacker Patrick Willis and running back Frank Gore. Harbaugh said Willis and Gore are in the second season of their two-year terms as captains.

“It’s like the President of the United States,” Harbaugh said.

Both Justin Smith and Alex Smith have previously been captains during the careers in San Francisco. Alex Smith was named a captain by then-coach Mike Singletary in 2010, a season in which he was benched twice in favor of Troy Smith.

Harbaugh asked Justin Smith to speak to the team. His words of wisdom: Let’s do it again, but even better this time.

“The only time you have a really good time or remember anybody that you really play with it’s usually because you’ve had some success with them,” Smith said. “We did that last year. And that was fun. The main thing is carry that on over and make sure we keep handling our biz and win some more. That’s the main thing. This is a pretty short-lived career so let’s make the most of it.”

** Surprised Anthony Dixon made the team? The third-year running back wasn’t.

“To tell you the truth, it’s what I expected with all the work that I put in,” Dixon said. “I really expected to be here.”

Dixon’s primary role will be on special teams, but he’ll also provide depth at fullback and could serve as the short-yardage back if Brandon Jacobs (knee) isn’t available for the regular-season opener.

Dixon, who the NFL in rushing during the 2010 preseason, led the 49ers with 41 carries, 171 yards and two touchdowns in the exhibition season.

“I’m not satisfied, though,” Dixon said. “I felt the preseason that I had, I expected to have that preseason. I did that before. What I’m trying to take my game to now is the regular season. I want to do it when it counts now … I’m ready for the prime time.”

** How impressive was defensive tackle Will Tukuafu as a fullback in the preseason finale? Even Justin Smith was awed by his physicality. Smith said he heard one of the 293-pound Tukaufu’s run-clearing blocks from about 80 yards away.

“He was crushing people,” Smith said. “You could hear it, you didn’t have to see it, you could hear it. Pretty impressive. I know I wouldn’t want to take on a 295-pound fullback. I’m sure Green Bay’s hoping he’s just a gimmick and they won’t use him that much because he put some pretty impressive stuff on tape.”

** Another two-way player, tight end and defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs, returned to practice today after a leg injury required him to use crutches early in the week. Dobbs said he’ll play in the regular-season opener.

** In posing a question to Harbaugh a reporter used the word “placid” – asking if this year’s training camp was more low-key than 2011.

“Placid is not a word I would use,” Harbaugh said, laughing. “No. Ever.”